Infection/Incontinence and underweight

Hi all,

I recently adopted another kitty that had been outside on its own for at least 6 weeks, probably a lot more.  He is about 3 years old, not neutered, underweight, and had a lot of intestinal parasites.  He also has an infection on his butt and reproductive area.  All of which is being treated and he has been on antibiotics since Saturday.  He has no control over when and where he goes and is "dripping" almost all the time and pooping too.  Does anyone have an idea how long it might take for him to heal?  The vet said I should see some progress after 4-5 days.  Well, it's only been 3 now, but so far I don't see anything.  I try to keep him as clean as I can, but I can't bathe him all the time or wipe his butt too much, because everything is swollen and severely irritated.  Right now I have him in a large crate (because I can't have him go all over the house) sitting on towels that I change at least 3 times a day.  I would change them more often, but I have to work during the day.  Any suggestions as to what I can do to speed up his healing? 

Also, he is eating very well - in fact, I think he would eat until he gets sick.  He already gained a bit of weight.  Does anyone have suggestions how much to feed him?  He already eats about 3 small cans a day and some little snacks in between - about twice as much or more than my other cats eat.  Of course I want to feed him so he can gain weight as fast as he can, but I don't want to overdo it.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you!

Irene

I haven't any experience with this particular problem in a cat, only with one cat with an anal fistula from injury, so I can't tell you how it will progress.  Is he on any topical medication for the infected area or only oral antibiotics.  If not, you might want to use some A&D ointment where he is inflamed, if he will let you, it's great for minor burns, scalds from urine, etc.  Did the vet say he was leaking because of inflammation from the infection? 

It sounds like you are doing a great job of taking care of him. Glad to hear he is eating well.
 

For the food, go slowly, you do want to feed him, but don't want to overfeed him too much.... He is probably traumatized from not having food, and also the parasites are not helping his case..... Soon he should be eating less though....
A GREAT topical medication, which you need to get from your vet, is called Neo-Predef. It is a powder - it is an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and it also has tetracaine, as an anesthetic. I used when my cat had severe/chronic diarrhea, and it worked amazingly well!

You probably also want to give him a good probiotic - you can buy one at a health food store - I use a 10billion Acidophillus and Bifidus one:
It is available at my local natural food store, in the refrigerated session. I give my cats one capsule a day.....

Thank you Simka and Carolina - great advice.  I will look into the ointments, topical medication and probiotics.  The swelling seems to go down, and he is able to keep himself somewhat cleaner.  He is still dripping, which is caused by the infection.  I just hope there won't be any lasting damage and he will get his full bladder control back. I will take him back to the vet on Saturday, if I don't see any significant progress by Friday. 

I started on introducing him to my other cats by putting his crate outside the glass door and letting them see each other.  One of my other kitties is in denial - she doesn't even look at him, while the other one is having little hissy fits.  Nothing too crazy, so I hope once they will actually be able to meet, it won't be too bad.

I would wait until he is well to start any kind of introductions.  Being hissed at through glass could be quite stressful and I'm sure stress is the last thing he needs now.

Good news he seems to be improving.